Ghana want playoff moved from Cairo

Ghana want a neutral venue for next month's crucial World Cup playoff against Egypt, as they believe it is too dangerous to play in Cairo.

The Ghana Football Federation said in a letter to FIFA that the venue should be changed because of the "alarming and fast deteriorating security situation in Egypt."

At least 51 people were killed in riots in Cairo last weekend linked to the ousting of elected state president Mohammed Morsi.

The GFA said some of its players expressed "grave concern over their safety for the match."

Egypt, coached by former U.S. national team boss Bob Bradley, is scheduled to host Ghana in Cairo on November 19 in the second leg to decide which country advances to next year's tournament in Brazil. The first leg is October 15 in Kumasi.

The GFA notes that Egyptian authorities have barred spectators from football matches for the past two years.

Ghana was dealt a huge blow Monday after Kevin-Prince Boateng was ruled out of the first leg on October 15 due to a left knee injury he sustained over the weekend during his club Schalke's 4-1 Bundesliga victory over Augsburg.

Boateng only just agreed to return to the Ghana side after a two-year absence. He did not play in Ghana's final World Cup group match against Zambia last month due to a training injury.